Chapter 88: The Rite and the Forest
Maddie
Humans had long avoided the forest, even before we knew werewolves existed. There were legends of terrible things that lived there, and now I understood that perhaps we had sensed that these terrible creatures were among us. When you don't have powers like wolves, caution is all you have left, but here I was, exposed to everything I was supposed to avoid.
The growls came closer and the rain drenched me. Dominic had told me to move to higher ground. My own father had told me to take care of myself, and that's exactly what I was going to do.
I ran as fast as I could, jumping over fallen trees, and I could hear my boots splashing in the water. I hear howling, and I'm sure it's wolves, because wolves are always after us. Of course, they had better eyesight; it was only a matter of time before they caught me, but I would make it difficult for them.
I stumble and fall flat on my face, splashing water everywhere. My hands burn from the impact of the fall, and the growls get closer. When I see a small hill, I get up and start climbing, it seems to be some kind of rocky hill. As I continue to ascent, I feel a sharp pain in my ankle, I scream and gasp as more rocks fall, and I hold on with trembling, aching hands.
I look back at what I've left behind and see three furious wolves clawing at the rocks. One of them bites me, but I manage to kick it in the muzzle and it falls back with a yelp. They try to reach me, but they can't.
My mate was right: they can't climb, at least not in their wolf form. The only thing I can tell is that they have red eyes and look rabid. The word "rogues" flashes through my mind. So these were the creatures that even the wolves feared. And I´m safe.
I keep climbing as far as I can, and when I reach a small cave, I exhale with relief. Maybe those gymnastics lessons weren't just for fun and really gave me an advantage. Down below, I was a brave girl running from terrible wolves, but now that it was all over, that I had run for my life, and that my breathing had calmed down while I was in this dry, lonely cave, I broke down and cried.
So much had happened in such a short time. I thought I had found my place and been cast out. Now I had nothing and no one, and although the wolves had caused this, I had chosen to be with my mates, and one of them had practically handed me over to the enemies... I couldn't stop thinking about them, Kurt's screams, Dominic's tears, and how much I missed them.
I don't know how much time passed, but I fell asleep. When I woke up, I cautiously stepped out of the cave, which was really small and honestly the perfect size for someone like me.
A wolf wouldn't fit in here. Outside was a new and truly beautiful world, with the sun shining through the treetops. The rain had stopped, making the green even brighter and the blue sky even clearer.
I checked my backpack and saw that there was a knife, some clothes that were a little damp, and some granola bars.
"Bless the twins," I whispered as I took this small breakfast.
There was also a small canteen of water. I took a sip, though I knew I had to find more, and that would be my first goal, then to escape from here, to find a way to get away from this supposed ritual and the forest. At the moment, I had no idea how to do it.
As I moved, I felt pain in my ankle and saw that I had slight bite marks, and I thanked these boots for protecting me; otherwise it would have been worse.
"Maybe rogues come out at night," I thought, although I didn't think it was true.
The descent wasn't easy, but at least I made it without falling. I mentally noted where it was easier to climb, and when I reached the bottom, I began to mark points for when I had to return, as this would be my refuge for now. I realize it was a small mountain and was visible from afar.
I climbed a tree, needing the strength in my arms and legs that gymnastics had given me.
And when I reached one of the treetops, I was out of breath.
All I could see was green, more and more trees. Where does this forest end, and where can I go? Further ahead it looked darker, and I guess the forest was denser.
"I wish my mates would come and help me," I sighed. But if there was one thing I had learned in my short life, it was that I couldn't count on anyone.
My brother had taught me to fight and defend myself, my father had told me to be very careful in the world I lived in, and I had to face it alone because even those I trusted the most had failed me.
There seems to be a river over there, and that gives me hope. I guide myself as best I can on the way down, and I'm happy to hear the sound of running water.
If there's water, maybe there's something else I can use, like vegetation or fruit. I keep walking, watching the birds and what they are eating. I notice that there are some kind of cherries, and when I taste them, they're sweet.
I put some in my pockets and in my backpack. It's not a full meal, but I'm sure it will save my life right now. And on this path I find something I hadn't thought to look for, something that would be crucial to my survival.
Wolfsbane.
If there was one thing we humans had learned, it was what this plant looked like and how to use it. It was the only defense we had, I took as much as I could with the knife and loaded it up. I would use it to coat weapons, everything I had.
"You can do anything, mate," Dominic had whispered to me. He had mentioned how I had defended myself against them when I was little, and even though humans didn't have their powers, we had survived for a long time; we knew how to take care of ourselves. Maybe the men of the council were wrong.
The day seemed endless, and the hours passed, and I was still alive. Until I remembered that this was still a challenge and something had to happen. The question was when. I returned to the mountain as if returning home, and on the way I heard footsteps, I hid as best I could, and when I saw the men of the council talking, I held my breath.
"Where is she? By now we should have found a trail of blood and what's left of her body."
"Those rogues wouldn't just let her go," another said, and I was grateful that the rain had washed away my scent.
"Find her! We need to confirm her death by tomorrow."
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